Glass panel building construction



March 9, 1937. R. L. HOHL 2,073,277

GLASS PANEL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Feb. 14, 1934 INVENTOR RUSSELL L. HOHL Patented Mar. 9, .1937

UNITED STAT GLASS PANEL nominee coNs'rnUc'rloN' Russell L.-Hohl Shaker Heights, Ohio Application February 14, 1934, Serial No. 711,176 Renewed January 22, 193'! 18 Claims,

This invention relates to building structures, and is particularly adapted to building walls either exterior or interior. More particularly, the invention relates to such-structures of. the type generally known as metallic as distinguished from those employing as their principal materials wood, masonry, plaster and the like, although the structure contemplated is not' necessarily wholly metallic, as will appear.

The objects .of the invention are generally to improve the structure disclosed in the copending applications, Serial No. 655,224 filed February 4, 1933 jointly by Monroe W. Copper, Jr., and me now Patent No. 1,973,795 of Sept. 18, 1934, and Serial No. 673,190 filed by me May 2'7, 1933, now

Patent No. 2,005,994 of June 25, 1935.

Said copending applications disclose a manner and means for mounting panel units as a sheathing upon a wall base or frame. Thepresent invention has for an object to provide that such panel units may be of glass, phenolithic composition, or other materials than solely of metal. To this end-the invention includes as another object, the employment of runner and stretcher elements of extruded metal. Still another object is to provide that the panel units, as of glass or the like, may be undeformed at their edges, yet may be employed in an assembly with other panel units deformed at their edges as taught in said copending applications.

And other objects are to provide for improved securement of the panelunits andsealing therebetween, and for the employment of two spaced sets of panel unitsv arranged in parallel planes-as where a wall structure of double sheathing thickness is desired.

The exact nature of this invention together with further objects and advantagesthereof will I be apparent from the follqwing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is anassembly view in perspective showing the general arrangement of the parts, some of which are shown as broken away; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail at one of the horizontal joints between panel units taken as in the indicated by line 2-2, Fig. 1; in horizontal section, taken at one of the vertical joints, as in the plane indicated by 1ine'3.3, Figs. 1 and 2, and showing in broken lines,the manner of providing double wall thickness where desired; Figs. 4 and 5 are details in perspective of the backing and finishing members respectively of the stretcher employed in Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 6' is a view generally similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modified arrangement at a horizontal joint; Fig. section through a vertical joint as in the line |-'I, Fig. 6; and.Fig. 8 is a perspective detail illustrating the type of stretcher backing member employed in the construction of Figs. 6 and '7.

With reference nowto the drawing and firstto Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, A, A, are risers indicated of angle iron'and representing conventionally a wall base or frame. Represented generally at B is a runner, a plurality of which,'. relationiare mounted on the wall base A-A, as

indicated in Figs. mounting the runners upon the wall base is immaterial, as is the exact nature of the base itself; but as indicated in Fig. 2, self-threading screws are employed for the purpose, these screws being disposed at intervals along the runners each passing through the base part of its-runner and into the underlying part of the wall. base or frame. Each runner is generally of channel form with '1 is a detail in-horizontal plane of- 1 and 2. The manner of.

its base part flat as indicated, to provide that the runner shall be immovable upon when mounted. The inner faces of the side walls of the runner are eoncavely curved as indicated,

being thus reentrant for a purpose which will appear. Extending oppositely from the sides of the runner are a pair of longitudinally extending ears. Each earls deeply grooved as at 3 so that in fact each earcomprises a pair of spaced projections 4 which may, however, ,for the present purpose be considered collectively as a single grooved ear. The sides'of the runner extend somewhat beyond the ears to provide shoulders 5 at each base and therebeyond, there being also immediately inside each car an effective shoulder 6. V v

Considering now an adjacent pair of runners, it will be apparent that there may befmounted thereon extending therebetween, a panel unit general y designated (1 here indicated as of sheet metal having at its opposite horizontally running edges lip parts 1 extending into the hollows'of the runners with spring engagement against the near inner sides thereof, and a nonmetallic panel unit backing 8, asfor heat and sound insulation. may seat in the runner shoulder 5. Also, if i'urther insulating properties be desired in the wall, another non-metallic panel unit may be positioned as indicated at 9 between the two runners, seating in their shoulders at 6 and secured as by means to be later described or in any other convenient manner. 4

.Means are provided whereby panel units of glass orthelike as lndicated at D, having unde-.

the wall base in parallel spaced 1 of panel units. At 75 formed edges along the runners, may mounted latter. For this of the latter and to retain the which latter may be inserted in plastic condition before with its panel unit.

The clip E has a. lip part I 2 adapted to enter the hollow of the panel runner B, which lip part lip i2 may have the beads indicated for the purpose.

oi the clips E generally. similar to that 01'- engagement of the lips I of a metallic panel unit C.

A plurality of runners B ed in parallel spaced relation, the

thereto without theuse of tools, each panel unit lying generally between an adjacent. pair or runners B and being secured to the latter along its horizontal edges.

Simple means are provided'i'or positively maintaining such assembled relation between panel units and runners. Such means may be in the form of a plug or 'selbthreading screw it, so pointed and oi such diameter that it maybe inserted into the hollow or a runner B after the of the assembly.

Sealing means II after be inserted into the hollows of the runners filling the cavities thereof to eflect a seal along the horizontal joints between panel units, and concealing the plugs l4.

Stretcher means are provided for and sealing the vertical Joints between adjacent pairs each such joint a stretcher is .provided comprising a pair of members including *member into the backing member.

in plastic form may therea backing member as indic'ated'in Fig. 4, and a finishing member as indicated in Fig.5.

' pair 01' runners B, whereby the backing member jnay be mounted thereon as indicated in Fig. 2. Also, the arrangement is such that when so which latter therefore may extend uninterrupted horizontally past a stretcher.

The finishing member of the stretcher comprises a stem part 2| and a pair of flange parts 22. The stem part 2| is adapted to extend within the recess iii of the backing member and is split as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5 and so proportioned as to be selI-expansible within the recess l8, to yieldably engage the sides oi! the latter.

The flange parts 22 of the finishing member are arranged to lie opposite the flange parts ll of the backing member so that the corresponding edge parts of the adjacent pair of panel units may be clamped between the flange parts of by inserting the finishing Preferably plastic sealing material may be added before means about the edges of the panel units as indicated in Fig. 3. The depth of the interengage- 1 able parts of the stretcher members is such that The modification of Figs. 6, 7 and 8 will be observed as comprising an arrangement generally similar to that above described, with exceptions to be noted. The runner B'-,'metallic panel unit 0', non-metallic panel unit l) and its clip E,

units being unchanged.

A finishing cap member 25 is shown secured to the runner B as by occasional screws 26, extends along runner parts otherwise exposed at the double thickness is occurs, the. stretch--.

. 5 member as indicated in Fig. 7.

rear face of thewall to improve appearance, the cap 25 being finished as desired. The cap extends at its sides to provide flanges 28 for bearor innerpanel units 21 against the 5 shoulders 6' of the runner, whereby each panel ing second similar finishing member 3! which may be employed in case the extra panel units 21 are employed. The backing member 29 asillustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, has tongue parts l9 performing the same mounting functions as in the backing member illustrated in Fig. 4. The member 29 has a. pair of flange members 32 adapted to bear against the inner faces of the panel units D where the latter have undeformed edges as il- 20 lustrated. The flanges 32 provide therebetween a cavity for receiving sealing means, which cavity also may be' employed for receiving the in turned vertically extending edge parts of metallic panel unitswhere the latter are to be employed, as illustrated in said copending application, Serial No. 673,190 now Patent No.

2,005,994. "The backing member 29 includes a central longitudinally extending tongue' part 33 with ofiset base part within the main cavity of 30 the backing member, to overhang a longitudinal hollow and adapted to receive screws as indicated, for the purpose of mounting the finishing member 3!! of the stretcher upon the runner The finishing member 39 has flanges .34 adapted when so mounted to bear the panel units against the flanges 32 of the backing member, and has a central part adapted to extend between the panel units for their endwise spacing.

The finishing member 3i where employed, is mounted upon the backing member by screws turned into the base part of the latter, and may be identical with the finishing member 30 as illustrated in Fig. 7 The function of the finishing member 3| is to secure and finish the extra panel units 21 at their vertical joints.

In practice the screw-receiving openings in the several members of the stretchersmay be made in the field, only wherenecessary, as by drilling to receive the screws which may themselves be seli-threading. That the holes may be always properly centered longitudinally of the stretchers, grooves are provided as at 35 longitudinally extending along the parts to'receive and position the point of-the drill.

1. Wall structure prising a runner having associated supporting means and arranged to provide a, channel .opening from said supporting means with reentrant sides, a clip having a part recessed to receive an edge part of a panel unit and position the1at-- -ter clearof said runner, said clip having a lip part extending into said.channel to engage a lip, in engagementwit-h its channel side, whereby to secure said panel unit edge.

sidesja clip having a part recessed to receive an edge part of a panel unit, said clip having a lip 5 part extending into said-channel to engage a member 29, a finishing member 30 and another their spaced relation engaging edge part of a of the class described com- 0 side thereof, and means formaint'aining saidside thereof, and sealing means arranged in the hollow of said channel to maintain said, lip against removal from its channel side. v

A 3. Wall structure of the class described comprisinga runner having associated supporting -means and arranged to provide a channel opening from said supporting means with reentrant sides, a clip having a part recessed to receive an edge part of a panelunit, said clip having a lip part extending into said channel to engage a side thereof, and means arranged in the hollow of said channel for lip against removal from its channel side, whereby to positively secure said panel unit edge relative to said runner.

4. Wall structure of the class described comprising a runner having associated supporting means and arranged to provide a channel opening from said supporting means with reentrant sides, a clip having a part recessed to receive an edge part of a panel unit, said clip having-a lip part extending into said channel to engage a side thereof, a second panel unit having an associ ated lip extending into said channel to engage the opposite side thereof, and means arranged in the hollow ofsaid channel between said lips to maintain said lips against removal from their channel sides and to provide a seal effective between said panel units. t

5. Wall structure of the class described comprising a runner having associated supporting means and arranged to provide a channel opening from said supporting means with reentrant sides, a clip having a part recessed to receive an edge part of a panel unit,- said clip having a. lip

part extending into said channel to engage a side thereof, a second panel unit having an aspositively maintaining said sociated lip extending into said channel to en- I "gage the opposite side thereof, and plug means disposed between said lips to positively maintain their channel sides. i 4 V 6. Wall structure of the class described com prising a runner having associated supporting means and arranged to provide a channel opening from said supporting means with reentrant sides, a clip having a p'art recessed to receive an part extending into said channel to engage a side thereof, a second panel unit having an associated panel unit, said clip having. a lip tween said lips to positively maintain their' spaced relation engaging their channel sides, said plug means comprising a screw arranged for self-threading relation against said: lips.

ill

'7. Wall structure of the class described comprising a. runner having "associated supporting v means and arranged to provide a channel opening from said supporting means with reentrant sides, a clip having a part recessed toreceive an edge part of a panel unit, said clip having a lip part extending into said channel to engage a side thereof, a second panel unit havin'gan associated lip extending into said channel to engage theopposite side thereof, and-plug means disposed between said lips to positively. maintain their spaced relation engaging their channel sides, said plug means comprising a screw 'ar'-* ranged for self-threading relation against said lips, adapted to bottom in said channel, and to be; concealed bysealing means between said lips.-

8. Wall structure of the class described comprising a pair of runners having associated supporting means and arranged thereon in parallel spaced relation, each runner'liaving a channel sides, a clip having a opening from said supporting means with reentrant sides,- for each runner a clip having a part recessed to rec'eive the corresponding edge part of a panel unit,-each clip having a lip part extending into its channel to engage the near side thereof, and means for maintaining said lips in engagement with their channel sides whereby said panel unit may be supported generally between said runners, at its edges adjacent the latter.

-9. Wall structure of the class described comprising a runner having associated supporting means and arranged to provide a channel opening from said supporting means with reentrant part recessed to receive an edge part of a panel unit, said clip having a lip part extending into said channel to engage a side thereof, said. runner and clip having parts and finishing niembers -.ing and flnishing members interengageable to limit motion of said clip from said panel unit in the plane of the latter.

'10. A clip for the purpose described having a part recessed to receive an edge'part of a panel unit with clearance thereabout for sealing means effective between clip ,and panel unit, with edges adapted to engage the opposite faces of the panel unit, said clip having a lip part adapted for cooperation with a' supporting runner.

l1. Wall-structure of'the .class described, comprising a stretcher including cooperative backhaving opposed laterally extending flange parts adapted to receive therebetweenadjacent edge parts of a pair of adjacentpanel units, and having means interengageable for mounting said finishing member on said backing member, said backing member having a base part. extending longitudinally beyond said finishing member to provide a tongue for mounting the ,backing member upon runner means.

12. Wall-structure of the class described, comprising a stretcher including cooperative backing having opposed laterally extending flange parts between adjacent edge. parts ofa pair of adjacent panel units, and having means interengageable for mounting said finishing member on said backing member, said backing member having a base part extending longitudinally beyond its .said .flange parts to provide a. tongue for-mounting the backing member upon runner means.- 13. Wall structure of the class described comprising-a stretcher including a backing member having opposed flange parts adapted to bear against adjacent edge parts of a pair of adjacent panel units, said backing member having a base part longitudinally extending for mounting said backing memberupon of finishing members each having flanges opposite said backing member flanges whereby the adjacent edge parts of two pairs of adjacent panel adapted to receive thererunner means, and a pair and finishing members having opposed laterally extending flange parts adapted to receive therebetween adjacent edge parts of a pair of adjacent panel units, and having means interengageable for mounting said finishing member on'said backing member, said backing member having a base part, and a second finishing member secured with saidbase part to clamp thereagainst a second pair of panel pair thereof.

15. A runner for wall structure of the class described, generally of channel form, with reentrant inner side walls, and having oppositely disposed ears running longitudinally at each side,

each ear being grooved and thereby comprising a pair of spaced projections adapted to receive therebetween projecting tongue parts of stretchers, whereby when a plurality of such runners aredisposed in parallel spacedrelation in a wall structure, stretchers may be mounted upon the rimners, each stretcher extending between an adjacent pair of runners, slidable therealong.

16. A runner for wall structure of the class described, generally of channel form, with reentrant inner side walls,- disposed ears running longitudinally at each side, each ear being grooved and thereby comprising a pair of spaced projections adapted to receive therebetween prpjectingtongue parts of stretchers, said ears providing shoulders thereadjacent, adapted to position panel members in the wall structure.

17. In a stretcher for the purpose described, of extruded metal and adapted to receive mounting perforations at oddly spaced intervals therealong, a member having a longitudinally extending groove adapted to center the leading point of a perforating-tool on the'stretcher, said member having a hollow opposite said groove, decreasing the section to be penetrated by said tool.

18. A runner generally of channel form, with reentrant side walls having longitudinally extending ears oppositely projecting therefrom, means extending within the cavity of said runner for mounting the adjacent edge parts of an adjacent units disposed parallel to said first and having oppositely 

